ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Secretary, MoHUA, chairs 60th meeting of CSMC under PMAY-U
Project proposals in 6 States approved for construction with net increase of 2.42 Lakh houses
In the 60th meeting of Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee  chaired by Shri Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs , project proposals in six States have been approved for construction with net increase of 2.42 Lakh houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana . The houses are proposed to be constructed under Beneficiary Led Construction , Affordable Housing in Partnership  and In-Situ Slum Rehabilitation  verticals of PMAY-U. The States where project proposals have been approved are Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tripura, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
The meeting began with Secretary, MoHUA, discussing the issues pertaining to grounding of houses in these States. He also reviewed the pace of completion and delivery of houses. Revision of projects and performance of the participating States with respect to the Mission was reviewed in the meeting.
Construction of PMAY-U houses are in various stages. The total number of sanctioned houses under the Mission is now 117.9 Lakh; of which around 95.2 Lakh have been grounded for construction and around 56.3 Lakh have been completed and delivered to the beneficiaries. The total investment under the Mission is ₹ 7.70 Lakh Crore, with Central Assistance of ₹ 1.96 Lakh Crore. So far, Central Assistance amounting to ₹ 1.18 Lakh Crore has already been released.
There has been renewed emphasis to accelerate housing construction, completion and delivery of houses under PMAY-U with the vision of ‘Housing for All’.
At the CSMC meeting, Secretary, MoHUA, also approved proposals under Model 2 of Affordable Rental Housing Complexes  in Andhra Pradesh. A total of 1,388 new ARHC units  have been approved for urban migrants/poor, involving Technology Innovation Grant  of ₹ 3.24 Crore.
ARHCs, a sub scheme under PMAY-U, provides dignified affordable rental accommodation to urban migrants/poor in urban areas close to their workplace. It is being implemented through two models. Under Model 1, existing Government funded vacant houses are converted into ARHCs through Public Private Partnership or by Public Agencies; Under Model 2, construction, operation, and maintenance of ARHCs is being done by Public/Private Entities on their own vacant land.
AYUSH
International Convention on World Homoeopathy Day to deliberate on linking Education & Clinical Practice with Research
A two day convention is being organised on 9-10th April 2019 by the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy , an autonomous research organisation, Ministry of AYUSH on the occasion of the World Homoeopathy Day at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. The World Homoeopathy Day is observed to commemorate the birth anniversary of the founder of Homoeopathy, Dr. Christian Fredrich Samuel Hahnemann.
The Convention will be graced by Shri. Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of AYUSH, Sh. Roshan Jaggi , Joint Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, Sh. Nilanjal Sanyal, Chairman, Board of Governors, Central Council of Homoeopathy and Sh. Tridandi Chinna Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamiji. Tributes will be paid by Dr. Gary Smyth, President, Faculty of Homeopathy, UK and Dr. Alok Pareek, President, LMHI .
With an aim to recognise exemplary work in Homoeopathy, AYUSH awards relating to Homoeopathy for Life Time Achievement, Best Teacher, Young Scientist and Best Research paper will be conferred on this occasion. This WHD, 24 students will be awarded scholarships under the Short Term Studentship in Homoeopathy  and four students for ‘Quality MD Dissertation in Homoeopathy’. MOU’s will be signed with two more PG Homoeopathic Colleges with an effort to link education with research. The vision behind the agreement would be to provide impetus to research infrastructure, which, in turn further orient the students towards research.
A wide range of topics will be covered in the convention like Linking education and clinical practice with research, Homoeopathic Education: Research component, Utilisation of existing research by clinicians , Drug Development & Validation, Research initiatives by students under Studentship & MD Scholarship schemes , Documented clinical experiences, Homoeopathy in public health, Fortifying theories and clinical practice with research, Road ahead for Homoeopathy, Skill development in scientific writing, Strengthening research infrastructure in educational organisations, Drug Provings and Guidelines for Publishing Research. Round table discussions are also planned on the topics ‘Drug Regulations in Homoeopathy: Current scenario and Way ahead; Homoeopathy Industry: Challenges and Opportunities for the Manufacturers/Traders; Homoeopathic Pharmacopeias: Standards and Harmonisation’ and ‘Promotion of Homoeopathy at state level: Government of India schemes as a facilitating tool; Homoeopathy doctors in public service: Roles & Responsibilities’.
The Council is taking this as an opportunity to review the path trodden so far, taking stock of the challenges faced and to formulate future strategies for development of Homoeopathy. There is an imminent need to focus on improving the quality of education and enhancing the success rate of an average practitioner. There is also a need to ensure the production and availability of high quality homeopathic drugs in the market.
Ministry of Defence
NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL
The construction cost towards establishing the National War Memorial is Rs 176.65 crore . Further, Bharat Electronics Limited has been nominated to execute the project of Enhancement of Digital Appeal at National War Memorial.
The online portal dedicated to the gallantry award winners has already been created during 2017-18. The online portal dedicated to the gallantry award winners has been created during 2017-18 with an estimated expenditure of Rs 7,11,500/- .
Further, Ministry of Defence has entered into an agreement with Raksha Rashtriya University  for improvement of the portal at a monthly payment of Rs. 1,59,000/- . In the FY 2020-21, the expenditure was Rs. 4,77,000/-  and in FY 2021-22 till May 2021, the expenditure was Rs. 3,18,000/- .
Ministry of Defence has also entered into a contract with M/s Broadcasting Engineering Consultants India Limited  w.e.f. 01 May 2021 to 30 Apr 2022 @ Rs. 77,172/- per month for deployment of consultant  to assist the Ministry in enrichment of Gallantry Awards Portal.
The Ministry has introduced various modules/activities viz. option of paying tribute, taking pledge, motivational videos, information of war memorials and war histories, e-Books etc. Various public participative events viz. Quiz on Gallantry Awards, tribute competition, logo design competition, live streaming of NCC activities at statues of Awardees are also conducted from time to time. MoD have also created dedicated social media handles for publicity of activities planned on Gallantry Portal and also Youtube channel for uploading of videos relating to the Awardees.
Ministry of Defence, in coordination with National e-Governance Division , Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space and Geo-informatics  , Rashtriya Raksha University , Armed Forces and NIC, is maintaining the portal to honour the gallantry awardees.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Col Rajyavardhan Rathore  in Lok Sabha today.
Nampi/KA/DK/RP/Savvy/ADA
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Election Commission
ECI Statement
A section of media has cited today i.e. on 5.3.2021 TMC MP’s letter to CEO West Bengal demanding removal of Deputy Election Commissioner incharge of West Bengal Assembly Elections 2021 at ECI. The following is brought to your kind notice: -
- The complaint in question was apparently given to CEO, west Bengal, who has sent a copy to ECI headquarters. The Commission would like to categorically state that all our Deputy Election Commissioners and other officials posted in the ECI headquarters and/or working in the field are discharging their duties strictly as per Constitution of India and the various extant rules regarding the conduct of elections. There could be an odd exception here or there in which case EC takes corrective action immediately. In the immediate case, the Commission has full faith in the integrity and fairness of Shri Sudeep Jain, DEC. Unfortunately, it is not for the first time that a concerted campaign is mounted against senior officers of the Commission on the eve of/during the process of elections.
- In aforementioned news items mention has been made of allegations cited by TMC about two decisions taken by Shri Jain during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections when also he was Deputy Election Commissioner incharge at ECI of West Bengal Elections. It is clarified that both these decisions were taken by the Commission in the interest of holding free fair and peaceful elections and implemented by the district election machinery under supervision of DEC, Chief Electoral Officer, Police Nodal Officer and other concerned senior officials.
Since, this issue is being raised by other sections of media by queries on WhatsApp/SMS messages etc., a copy of this statement is being put on the website of ECI 
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SBS/RP/AC
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Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Allocated budget for the year 2023-24 is Rs. 97.41 crore under NAMASTE
A scheme, National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem  has been formulated. The process of extending the Scheme to all the Urban Local Bodies  of the country has been initiated. Main features of the Scheme to be implemented in all ULBs are:
- Identification: NAMASTE envisages profiling of the Sewer/Septic Tank Workers .
- Occupational Training and distribution of PPE Kits to SSWs
- Assistance for Safety Devices to Emergency Sanitation Response Units 
- Extending Health Insurance Scheme Benefits to identified SSWs and their families under the Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana .
- Livelihood Assistance: To promote mechanization and enterprise development by providing funding support and subsidy  to the sanitation workers, to procure sanitation related equipments/vehicles.
- IEC Campaign: Massive IEC campaigns would be undertaken jointly by the Urban Local Bodies  & National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation  to spread awareness about the interventions of NAMASTE and citizen centric awareness programmes communicating that sewer/septic tank cleaning services are to be obtained only from organized service providers duly empanelled with ULBs/ERSUs.
Initially it was decided to cover five hundred AMRUT Cities now we are covering all Urban Local Bodies  in a phased manner.
The scheme is proposed to be undertaken during 2023-24 to 2025-26. Allocated budget for the year 2023-24 is Rs. 97.41 crore. It is a Central Sector Scheme as such there is no State-wise allocation.
City centric approach has been taken to provide for mechanised cleaning equipment and trained manpower in the ULBs.
This information was given by Minister of state for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Ramdas Athawale in the Lok Sabha in a written reply today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM wishes Gita Press on completing 100 years
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has conveyed his best wishes on completion of 100 years of Gita Press. The Prime Minister called the publisher's 100 year journey of taking the spiritual heritage to the country and abroad, incredible and unforgettable.
The Prime Minister tweeted :
"अनंत शुभकामनाएं! भारतीय आध्यात्मिक विरासत को अपने प्रकाशन के माध्यम से देश-दुनिया तक पहुंचाने में निरंतर जुटी गीताप्रेस की 100 वर्षों की यह यात्रा अद्भुत और अविस्मरणीय है।"
Ministry of Culture
PRESS NOTE
On the eve of 154th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on 2nd October 2023, a mega cleanliness drive was undertaken in the Khandagiri Heritage site by Geological Survey of India, State Unit Odisha in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India, Bhubaneswar circle on 1st October 2023 from 10 AM to 11 AM. His Excellency Prof. Ganeshi Lal, Hon’ble Governor of Odisha, Smt. Aparajita Sarangi, Hon’ble M.P., Bhubaneswar and Shri Vijay Amruta Kulange, IAS & Commissioner, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation graced the occasion.
In addition to the officials from GSI, ASI, BMC and CGWB, volunteers from social organisers like Khandagiri vihar Unyana Samiti, Senior Citizen Association, Khandagiri, Youth for Seva-Bhubaneswar, Jaydev Walkers Club participated in the Swachhata Hi Seva  event overwhelmingly. NCC cadets and Bharat Scout & Guides members from Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan also participated enthusiastically in the cleanliness drive. contributed shramdaan activities in this noble initiative. More than 600 volunteers participated in this mega event under the theme of Ek Tareekh – Ek Ghantaa – Ek Saath’. The initiative has been appreciated by all quarters including tourists, who visited the monument during this activity.
RoM
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Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
“Private sector is coming in a big way to tap the potential of J&K”, says Dr. Jitendra Singh
Leading multinational consultancy to launch campus hiring campaign in the UT
The Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region , Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh has said the private sector is making a beeline for investment in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. “Within two months of the changed administrative landscape in the newly carved out Union Territory, the private sector is coming in a big way to tap the potential of the youth and economy”, he said during a presentation made by Shri Shyamal Mukherjee, Chairman, PricewaterhouseCoopers , a leading multinational consultancy firm, here today.
PWC is soon to undertake a campus recruitment campaign at Jammu University, Katra. It will undertake similar campus placement exercises in University of Kashmir and NIT, Srinagar; IIM, IIT and Govt. College of Engineering & Technology in Jammu and Institute of Technology, Zakura besides the UT of Ladakh. Shri Mukherjee said the PWC will not only tap the local talent in J&K UT, but also provide mentorship for students and career counselling besides enhancing employability skills. “Initially, the campaign will run for graduate & post-graduate students, but slowly such programmes will be launched at 10+2 level”, said Shri Mukherjee. Imparting soft skills and behavioural workshops are also in the pipeline”, he added.
Lauding PWC for taking the lead, Dr. Jitendra Singh said this campaign will not result in any additional burden to the exchequer as there is no financial liability for the UT Administration. “The psychological hurdle of Article 370 was so huge the private industry was reluctant to invest in the erstwhile state of J&K”, the Minister said. “Now that this barrier has been breached under the able leadership of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the opportunities for development and prosperity are opening up”, he added.
Dr. Jitendra Singh directed the officials to firm up the proposal and roll out the campaign in consultation with Secretary, Higher Education.
Last month a Regional Conference on ‘Replication of Good Governance Practices in UTs of J&K and Ladakh”, was organized in Jammu, as a precursor to the upcoming initiatives which will be undertaken in these two UTs of J&K and Ladakh under the leadership of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs 
Cabinet approves distribution of fortified rice across Government Schemes
PM had announced the fortification of rice in his Independence Day speech
Entire cost of rice fortification  would be borne by the Govt. of India
Fortification will provide nutrition to every poor person of the country to overcome malnutrition and lack of essential nutrients in women, children, lactating mothers
FCI and State Agencies have already procured 88.65 LMT of fortified rice for supply and distribution
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today has accorded its approval for supply of fortified rice throughout the Targeted Public Distribution System  under the National Food Security Act , Integrated Child Development Services , Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman-PM POSHAN [erstwhile Mid-Day Meal Scheme ] and Other Welfare Schemes  of Government of India in all States and Union Territories  by 2024 in a phased manner.
The entire cost of rice fortification  would be borne by the Govt. of India as part of food subsidy till its full implementation upto June, 2024.
The following three phases are envisaged for full implementation of the initiative:
Phase-I: Covering ICDS and PM POSHAN in India all over by March, 2022 which is under implementation.
Phase-II: Phase I above plus TPDS and OWS in all Aspirational and High Burden Districts on stunting  by March 2023.
Phase-Ill: Phase II above plus covering the remaining districts of the country by March 2024.
As part of vigorous implementation efforts, the Department of Food and Public distribution has been coordinating all ecosystem related activities with all relevant stakeholders like State Government / UT, line Ministries/Department, Development Partners, Industries, Research Institutes etc. The FCI and State Agencies are already engaged in procurement of fortified rice and so far nearly 88.65 LMT of fortified rice has been procured for the supply and distribution.
Hon'ble Prime Minister of India in his address on the 75th Independence Day  made an announcement on Fortification of Rice so as to provide nutrition to every poor person of the country to overcome malnutrition and lack of essential nutrients in women, children, lactating mothers etc. as it poses major obstacles in their development.
Earlier, the Centrally Sponsored Pilot Scheme on "Fortification of Rice and its Distribution under Public Distribution System" was implemented for a period of 3 years beginning from 2019-20. Eleven  States- Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand successfully distributed the fortified rice in their identified districts  under the pilot scheme.
Ministry of Defence
Military Nursing Service Celebrates Its 97th Raising Day
With commemorating the illustrious stories of courage, compassion and care, Military Nursing Service celebrated its 97th Raising Day on 01 Oct 2022.
To commemorate the occasion, Major General SmitaDevrani, Additional Director General of Military NursingService laid wreaths at the National War Memorial and paid tributes to medical personnel who have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.
Marking the beginning of yet another year of commitment and dedication, a solemn Florence Nightingale oath taking, and a cake cutting ceremony by MNS Officers of Delhi Garrison was held at MNS Officers’ Mess, Army Hospital  in Delhi Cantt.
A social get together was organized at MNS offrs mess AH Delhi Cantt to celebrate the occasion. Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V. R. Chaudhary graced the occasion along with DGAFMS, Senior officers of the station from the tri services and veteran MNS officers.
Military Nursing Service is the only all women corps of the Armed Forces dating back to the year 1888, the first batch of 10 qualified British nurses arrived in Bombay to organize nursing in the military hospitals in India. It was designated as Indian Army Nursing Services  in 1893 and Queen Alexandria Military Nursing Service of India  in 1902. During the World War –I, Temporary India Nursing Service  was formed to provide nursing care to wounded soldiers.
Permanent Nursing service for Indian Army was raised as part of Indian Army on 01 Oct 1926 and designated as Indian Military Nursing Service . The IMNS made a humble beginning and their work was universally acclaimed. With the promulgation of the military ordinance on 15 Sep 1943 the Military Nursing Service was permanently established as part of the Armed Forces and the members of the service became commissioned officers.
The mission of Military Nursing Service is ‘Excellence in patient care’ both in peace and war. Officers of Military Nursing Service have always been resilient in meeting the ever changing and expanding demands of AFMS clientele in health care services and became the front line warriors in health care system. Today Military Nursing Service ranks high among the best Army Nursing Services of the world.
Nampi/Anand
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Special Service and Features
“Peeled Jackfruit” from Idukki, flagged to UK
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority  under Ministry of Commerce & Industry, along with State Horticulture Mission facilitated flagging off consignment of “Peeled Jackfruit” virtually from Idukki, Kerala to UK on 29th April 2022.
Ms. Aarathi LR, IES, MD of State Horticulture Mission, Govt of Kerala; Mr. S S Nayyar, General Manager, APEDA; Mr. UK Vats, General Manager, APEDA, Dr. Sudhanshu, Secretary, APEDA; Exporter& Importer along with other officials of APEDA took part in the flag off ceremony.
APEDA is facilitating the flag off of ‘Peeled Jackfruits’ to increase its utilisation & to make the fruit more appealing & easily accessible to the all the sections of consumers. Jackfruits are peeled with utmost care in hygienic environment & are tested and packed keeping on par with norms of importing countries. This peeled jackfruit which has undergone primary & secondary packaging has shelf life of 12-14 days from date of packing.
Jack fruit, originated in western ghats of India is the popular meat substitute among vegans due to its protein content. The appealing tropical fruit is the official fruit/State fruit of Kerala, which is loaded with nutritional benefits. Jackfruit is rich in nutrients including carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. The seeds & flesh of the jack fruit can be consumed in boiled forms whereas the ripen flesh is eaten in raw form as fruit. Jams, jellies, marmalades, ice creams etc can be prepared from pureed flesh of Jackfruit.
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